tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
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What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Plus, Frickin' Delights Donuts is closing, Victoria restaurant receives gold, and Original Pho opens

Sarah Madsen·Jul 18, 2024·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №056

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story about Pendray Inn and Tea House receiving Canada’s first gold-level food waste certification as well as the news that a downtown doughnut shop will be closing at the end of the month. Frickin’ Delights Donuts will join a number of eateries across the city that have closed their doors this year.

Has an eatery you frequent closed recently?

Share some memories of places you miss!
  • Yes, my go-to spot closed this year
  • Yes, unfortunately a few have closed
  • I still miss my favourite joint from years ago
  • No, luckily all the places I frequent are still open
  • Not sure, I haven't checked in a while
  • Other

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😍 5 spots to try right now

🌯Greek n' Go: Food truck serving Greek street food. Located at 1580 Cook.  

🥟Chubby Dumpling: Delicious dumplings and noodle dishes at 1619 Store.   

🥘Cafe Malabar: Coastal Indian restaurant serving dishes from Kerala, located in the Victoria Public Market. 

🥗Med Grill: Mediterranean-West Coast fusion restaurant in Royal Oak at 4512 West Saanich Rd.  

🍺Saxe Point Pub: Newly opened neighbourhood pub in Esquimalt at 505 Park Pl.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

Frickin’ Delights Donuts is closing its doors

Photo: Frickin’ Delights Donuts Inc. / Facebook

Frickin' Delights Donuts will have its final day of operations on July 31.

The doughnut shop has been in business for the past 12 years, starting in Devon, Alberta in 2013 and operating out of 632 Yates St. for the last four years.

The shop sells handcrafted vegan doughnuts made daily, with flavours rotating each month.

“After much consideration and after a very difficult year of operating, we have decided to close our business for good,” Frickin’ Delights Donuts wrote in a social media post over the weekend. 

Read more about the doughnut shop's closure.

FEATURED

Victoria restaurant first in Canada to receive gold-level food waste certification

A much loved restaurant in Victoria has just set a national record for its sustainable cooking practices.

The Kitchen at the Pendray Inn and Tea House has become the first restaurant in Canada to receive a gold level certificate from The PLEDGE on Food Waste. The restaurant scored 93 out of 100 for its efforts to reduce food waste.  

The team at Pendray Tea House adopted several practices to achieve their food waste goals, including categorizing food waste measurements, maintaining meticulous tracking systems, and providing comprehensive team training.

Read more about its efforts to reduce food waste.

🗞️ News

Original Pho has opened its second location at 807 Fort, in the old Chorizo & Co. location. To celebrate its opening, the Vietnamese eatery is offering 10% off both dine-in and take-out until tomorrow. 

Better Acres Ice Cream opens: The new handcrafted ice cream shop at 1019 Government uses whole ingredients and Canadian dairy. 

Hide + Seek Coffee celebrates keeping its patio with a paint party. The renewal application for the patio that was built in 2020 had previously been denied. [Times Colonist]

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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🗓️ Events

Fern A Drag Show: Watch drag performances hosted by Woofie and Vivian Vanderpuss with special guest Eddi Licious at The Fernwood Inn. Today. Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. 

Streetball tournament: Boomtown and 33 Acres Brewing Company are hosting a three-on-three co-ed streetball tournament at Boomtown this Saturday. 12pm until late.  

TD Art Gallery Paint-In: This art festival along Moss Street features over 160 artists, music, and food. Saturday. 11am-6pm.  

Mooncake Workshop: Learn how to make mooncakes and take home 10 of the mini pastries. Presented by Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society at the Community Kitchen at Victoria Public Market. Sunday. Noon-2pm.  

Wine in the Courtyard: Sample wines from the Cork & Barrel Spirit Merchants during the Oak Bay Collector Car Show. Sunday. 11am-3pm. 

Local Folk Summer Fair: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse is hosting a fair to celebrate its 20th anniversary featuring artisan vendors, food, live music, and kids crafts. Sunday. 11am-4pm.

💸 Deals

  • $18 for three steamed bao buns and $10 cocktail feature at Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio during daily happy hour, 3:30-5:30pm. 

  • $9 old fashioneds and $11 cauliflower dynamites at Moon Under Water during daily happy hour from 2-4pm and from 8-10pm. 

  • $5.95 strawberry basil gin smash and $9.95 Aperol spritz at El Furniture Warehouse during daily happy hour, 2-5pm.   

  • $10 massaman lamb tacos and $4 grilled skewers at Baan Thai during happy hour, 2-5pm.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Irrigation Trades Assistant at The Butchart Gardens

  • Executive Director at Capital Bike 

  • Barista at 2% Jazz Coffee Inc. 

  • Ice Cream Scooper / Customer Service at Parachute Ice Cream   

  • Server at Heron Rock Bistro

📸 Post of the week

49below on Instagram
@49below
View on Instagram →

Cool off with this cherry sorbet from 49 Below Craft Ice Cream! Made with fresh cherries and chocolate flakes. Find it at 2575 Cadboro Bay Rd.

That’s it!

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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
Don't waste a meal.

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